Council tells Sydney Airport: No increase to caps, no changes to curfew

Tuesday, 20 November 2018

Long-suffering Inner West residents should not bear the brunt of increased aircraft activity and noise, according to Council’s submission to the Preliminary Draft Master Plan (PDMP) for Sydney Airport.

In the suburbs closest to the airport, residents are exposed to recurring noise levels as high as 100 decibels (80 decibels is the safe upper limit of exposure to continuous noise).

“While aircraft noise is now considered part and parcel of Inner West life, that doesn’t mean our patient residents should bear the brunt of increased aircraft movements,” said Deputy Mayor Vic Macri, whose Marrickville Ward is one of the most aircraft-affected areas in Australia.

Council has welcomed the PDMP’s stated position of no change to caps and curfews, however Council has expressed concern that the PDMP predicts aircraft movements will increase from 60 movements an hour to 68, and on current forecasts will reach 80 movements an hour by 2029.

According to Council’s submission, this could mean that noise sharing targets cannot be met, the noise footprint will increase, and lobby groups could argue for changes to caps and curfews.

“And that’s why we have insisted in out submission that there should be no changes to caps and curfews,” said Deputy Mayor Macri.

The submission also asks that the new Western Sydney Airport be considered for the predicted 100% increase in freight demand.

Council has called for direct freight rail connections to facilitate “seamless” transfer of freight, and better public transport to reduce car traffic in and around the Airport.

“We want the Airport to support our request to the NSW Minister for Transport for station access fees to be removed from both the Airport’s heavy rail stations and for new bus routes to be established to connect the Airport with home locations of airport employees,” Deputy Macri said.

“There’s a lot to applaud in the PDMP. As well as saying they want no change to the caps and curfews, Sydney Airport has been pursuing high-level environment and sustainability objectives for many years. Council recognises this and thanks them for it.

“But the significant intensification of use being mooted in the PDMP is worrying. We’ll work with the Airport while also being strong advocates for our community,” Deputy Macri said.

Every five years, Australia’s major airports are required to prepare and submit a 20-year Master Plan to the Australian Government for approval.

Public comment on the new Preliminary Draft Master Plan 2039 closes today at 5pm.